SNOW KISSED CHRISTMAS: Sweet Historical Romance Novella--Short Read Read Online Free Page A

faces and hands.
    “Come,” Lilya said when they came back in, taking a lamp and leading the way to a bedroom down a long hallway. “My Mary’s room,” she said, smoothing out the patchwork quilt. Together, she and Anna undressed the children, down to their long underwear. Sophie wrapped Mormor’s shawl around her. Lilya turned back the quilt and sheet. “In, in, Zaychiks, before your toes freeze,” she urged, and Thomas and Sophie climbed in. It was a featherbed, and they sank down as if they were making angels in a deep snowdrift.
    Anna and Lilya listened while they said their prayers, their sweet child’s voices mingling.
     
    Now I lay me down to sleep,
    I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
    Thy angels watch me through the night,
    And keep me safe till morning's light
    And Thomas, eyes still tightly closed, added, “And please let Santa know where we are.”
    “I told you, Santa will leave our gifts at home for us,” Sophie said in a weary, exasperated tone.
    “He’ll come here,” Thomas insisted. “You’ll see.” He curled towards his sister and took her hand, and was already asleep as Anna, and then Lilya, bent over and kissed them each goodnight, tucking the quilt close around them. The wind howled and the snow blew icy crystals outside the frosted window, but inside it was warm. The sound of the violin floated into the room, sweet and sad. Anna and Lilya waited, and in a few moments, Sophie, too, was sleeping, and the women crept out, leaving the door ajar.
    In the living room, Peter and William softly played Silent Night, and then all three of the men dressed in their outdoor clothing and went to do the last of the chores and settle the animals for the night. Steve took a long, coiled rope with him to tie to the kitchen door and then to the barn, so they wouldn’t get lost in the blinding storm. When they stomped back in a half hour later, all three were gasping for breath, their faces scarlet from the stinging, blowing snow.
    Anna felt utterly exhausted, her legs aching from the weight of the child in her belly. It was a relief to crawl into the soft featherbed in Peter’s room. He was already snoring on the horsehair sofa when Lilya led Anna and William to his bedroom.
    “We shouldn’t be taking Peter’s bed,” Anna said, but Lilya waved a hand in dismissal. “My Petya, always he falls asleep on the sofa, he drinks too much of the vodka.”
    When she was in the bed, snuggled in her chemise beside William, Anna whispered to him what Thomas had said, about Santa finding them tonight.
    “He’s a wee dreamer, our Thomas,” William yawned, holding her close, spoon fashion. “He’ll be let down, but he’s a braw lad, he’ll get o’wer it.” He yawned again. “Steve has asked will I work wi’ him in the dairy, on the days the mines are slack.”
    Anna waited several heartbeats. “And what did you tell him?” She braced herself for the usual vehement, I can support me own family, I will’nae take charity.
    Instead, William’s quiet voice was thoughtful. “He spoke tae me about Peter, Steve’s that worried about the lad. He’s too fond of the drink, is our Peter, and he likes to gamble, and now there’s a lass who claims he’s the father of her bairn, and Peter will no marry her. And then there’s Lilya, Steve is near his wit’s end, there are days her mind is gone wi’ the fairies, and she believes Mary still is here. Steve says it’s our two wee ‘uns that help her, she’s that fond of our Thomas and Sophie. They take her out of herself, Steve claims.” His strong arms moved her still closer to his warm body, cradling her, his big, rough hand on the restless, heaving mound of her belly. “A man gets to believin’ he’s the only one around wi’ troubles, Anna. So I said I’d work wi’ him, and grateful I am fer the offer.”
    Anna sighed, long and heartfelt. All she said was, “Good. I’m really glad, William.” It would make such a difference. It was not so small a